Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-08-25

Formerly duke of Sweetwater county anC
referee during the Modoc war.
Maryland Mountain Scenes.
Baltimore Sun

From Blue Ridge summit by moonlight
to Mount Quirauk, and the glorious
prospect OF witnessing the sun rise from
the observatory at this elevated point, is
treat which those who have had the
good fortune to enjoy under favorable
atmospheric conditions can never forget.
Tho grand view of the Cumberland Valley
and surrounding mountain ranges when
seen in the day time is truly enchanting,
but even this fades into common place,
yea, almost insignifcance, before such rap
turous panorama as was spread before us
at -four TO five O'Clock on the morning of
August 3. Whtn l say us | mean a party
of seven ladies and one gentleman, all
from Baltimore, sojourninT at Winston
Cottage, Blue Ridge Summit, by whom
this delightful expedition was planned
and carried ont. Leaving the cottage at
3 A. M. under cloudless sky and balmy,
invigorating, early morning air, with the
full moon beaming in all its glory, illu-
minating the near and distant hills, each
contour being most delicately outlined
against the misty veil behind 1T, and here
and there feecy cloud floating serenely
beneath the towering hilltops. The light
showers of the evening before and dew
together had ornamented leaves and fen
ces with innumerable beads, which
glisetned in the sof moonlight, and while
driving through the woods we're heard
dropping all around us. or all the de-
lightful drives we have enjoyed among
these lovely hills this one from the Cot
tage up to Mount Quirauk excelled. All
who behold the many towns and farms
houses which are scattered all over the
valley from High Rock are impressed
with the lovely quietude and serenity of
the scene, but to see this same valley at
four o'clock in the morning, the full moon
slowly dropping down over the North
mountain of the Cumberland range be-
yond, which, rising from the mist-en-
shrouded plain, with here and there hill
appearing like an island in the sea, is
simply sublime, and the landscape seems
turned into marine view; but grand be-
yond description is the panorama which
unfolds itself to the beholder looking
eastward from the top of the observatory
on the lofty peak of Mount Quirauk at 3
A. NJ. In the valley between MoSnt
Quirauk and South Mountain sleeps Blue
Ridge Summit, and beyond this Monterey
which on this occasion we're carefully
tucked away under al immaculate sheet of
mist, with the undulating outlines of dist
ant hills for q headboard in the center of
which presently appears arnby light that
marks the near approach of the rising
orb OF day, which a few moments later
maiestically mounts above the hilltops
and misty clouds, upon which it soon
sheds its brilliant rays, and as under the
silyery light of the moon, the Cumber-
land Valley, in the west, looks like quiet,
peaceful bay, with mountains rising from
il on the other side. The view in the east
now resembles a broad expanse of ocean,
extending far beyond the hills, and as the
sunlight falls upon the top of the misty
clouds prod aces an effect which must be
seen to be appreciated. Never were ocean
waves more perfectly initiated than they
were here; indeed, the illusion was so
complete that one could almost see the
breakers dashing up against the hills and
the pillows fading away in the distant
horizon until the dissolying view vanished
and hills and wales resumed their yerdure-
clad appearance, than which those do not
know who cannot beat the sun a couple
of hours. The ride back TO the cottage
was as delightful under the early morning
sun through the bslmy, shady woods, as
the other had been through the light,
misty clouds under Luna's silvery beams.
| 1t is needless ia state never was break
fast more keenly enjoyed than by every
member of our little party upon our re-
! turn TO Winston Cottage.
| A,o,-,.t.yrs marc tn-dav made before